Chapter 98 HAPPY BIRTHDAY
\[THREE DAYS LATER, CASTELLAN'S HOUSE\]
Ixora came down the stairs looking so sullen. She had stopped crying but was still affected by Joanna's death.
Her funeral took place the next day after her death. Many people attended her funeral, including her co-workers.
Blake, Audrey and Skye left for Canada yesterday. Stacy also left the country because of what happened to Bonnie.
She and Drexton haven't said a word to each other since Joanna's death.
He had a good relationship with Joanna, and it's deeply understandable.
Her death reopened his wounds again, since his birthday is tomorrow. Joanna also told her that his parents died on his birthday and which contributed to the reason why he doesn't celebrate his birthday.
She plans to make his birthday unforgettable, and she's going to achieve that. Though she has no idea the gift to get him, she's going to do that before the end of the day.
She exhaled, walking to the fridge when she heard her doorbell ring.
Opening the door, she saw faces she couldn't recognize.
"Who are you?" she asked.
"Are you Ixora Castellan?" the person asked.
"Uhm, yes," she replied, giving them a questionable look.
"Ma'am, Joanna asked us to give you this. She said you'll need it." He took out a big book that looked like a diary.
Ixora raised her brow as she collected it.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome. Have a nice day."
Ixora closed the door, wondering what the book might contain.
She wanted to open it when her reminder alarm rang out.
"I will check it out when I get back." She kept it and went into the bathroom.
She did her necessary things and came out already dressed up.
Grabbing her car's keys, she rushed to the parking space while googling the best birthday gift for a psychotic boyfriend.
\[UNDERGROUND}
"Cheers." Georgia lifted her glass.
"Cheers." Smith smiled, doing the same.
The glass came in contact with a soft click.
They drank at the same time, tasting the bitter-savoring taste of the wine.
"So, what's the plan?" Smith asked.
Georgia crossed her legs. "History will repeat itself."
"And how do you intend on doing that?"
"Easy." She stood. "Twenty-one years ago, we killed his parents. Twenty years later, we will kill their only son and end the Blackthorn existence. What started years ago will end with us as the winners. We've always been," she muttered.
"I must admit, he's so smart. He was able to fool us," Smith said.
"And that's because you couldn't finish the job. Well, tomorrow our lives will continue as if the Blackthorns never existed in it." She sat and sipped from her drink.
Larry walked in with a bow.
"Ma'am, the payment has been made."
Georgia quickly stood, eyes going wide as she scrolled through her phone.
"He's serious!" She exclaimed, almost jumping.
"What's going on? Which payment is that?" Smith stood beside her, looking into her phone.
"Oh, it completely slipped my mind. A person named Mr. Eric bought the entire human. He contacted us two days ago, saying he needed them all. We told him their cost, and he didn't even negotiate. We all thought he was joking, but he just paid the 500 billion in full," she said, not bothering to hide the excitement in his voice.
"And this Mr. Eric, who's he? Like his identity?" Smith asked.
"I don't know, he requested to remain anonymous. He said he'd only reveal himself the day the whole transaction would take place."
Smith cast her a suspicious look. "And you trust him?"
"Of course. No one will be able to pay such an amount." She noticed the look on his face. "What's with the look? This calls for a celebration. And by next year, I will go back to reclaim my spot in politics and this time with so much power."
Larry has already left.
"Come on, we need to celebrate it." She picked their wines. "Double victory in a week." She handed him his own.
She played music on her phone and swayed her hips at a rhythm. Smith held her hips, going in slow movements with her as they shared laughter.
\[DREXTON'S HOUSE\]
The fire burned in his eyes as memories of his birthday twenty years ago replayed in his head. To him, another year is going to pass, and he's ready to do the ritual.
For ten years, he had been burning Castellan's family picture in the fire. He has never missed a day on his birthday.
That's a reminder of the years he had to keep plotting their destruction.
A few minutes to go, and it will strike midnight.
Other years, he does it together with Maddox and Jaxon, but this year, he's doing it alone.
He took out their pictures one after the other, waiting for it to strike twelve.
\[IXORA'S HOUSE\]
She sat beside the window, staring at her phone screen.
Tomorrow is Drexton's birthday, and she wants to be the first to wish him.
As the time ticked, she felt her eyes brimming with tears.
His birthday doesn't always have to reopen the wounds she's trying to heal.
A few weeks before his birthday, his father figure died and his mother figure.
He deserves to be happy, all the happiness the world can give.
She had no idea if he'd give her the chance, because he once hated her.
But she's ready to bring a smile to his face.
The time reached 11:59, and the tears fell from her eyes.
She wiped the tears and dialed his number, gently placing the phone to her ears.
He answered, and both of them said nothing to each other.
She switched the call to a video call.
The room was dark, and she could barely see his face.
Thanks to the reflection that looked like fire, she saw his face.
"Happy birthday, my flame," she said as soon as it struck twelve.
Drexton stared at her with an unreadable expression as he sat down, watching the pictures burn to ashes.
"Are you okay?" she asked.
"Why do you think I will not be okay?" he replied.
She tried reading his eyes and tone, but had no idea what he was feeling.
"You aren't asleep, why?" he asked.
"I wanted to be the first person to wish you," she replied and bit her bottom lip.
"Happy birthday, my only love. My first love," she whispered.
"I love you, Drexton."
Tears slid down her cheeks.
"What have I told you about crying?"
She sniffled. "I can't help it. I hope you can open up to me. I hope you will be able to heal. I feel like your pain and suffering somehow has something to do with my family, and I'm sorry for whatever they did to you. You should smile, and..." she sobbed.
"If you don't stop crying, I will make you choke on my cock," he said, not taking his eyes off her.
Ixora smiled, heat rolling up to her cheeks. She smacked her phone screen as if he were with her.
"You don't have to always talk dirty. I'm being serious here."
"If it's bringing tears to your eyes, then stop it. You should save your tears for the real time when you will need them."
Ixora's face slowly etched into confusion. "When will I need my tears?"
Drexton looked away from her and returned it to her face.
"You wanted to be the first to wish me."
Ixora nodded.
"Can we meet at the outhouse? I know you told me we wouldn't go there again, but just this once. I have something to show you," she muttered.
Drexton's eyes fell on her lips that she had been unconsciously licking.
It's more like a habit whenever she's with him.
"Yes."
A large smile spread across her face. "Do you want to guess what I got for you?"
"It's a surprise, firefly."
"Oh," she bit her lips. "I hope you will like it."
"It's from you."
Her skin flushed red.
"Goodnight, flame."
He hummed in reply.
"Sleep tight, firefly."